Dial display device

ABSTRACT

A dial display for providing an indication corresponding to an input signal such as corresponding to the tuning of a radio device. The dial display utilizes a series of light transmitting elements for piping light from a light transfer member to a front display position. The light transmitting elements are grouped to have a front portion thereof effectively define a visually observable dial indicator. The light transfer member is selectively positionable by means of a suitable indicating mechanism such as a meter movement. The transfer member receives light from a light source to produce a localized high level of light emission from the dial display corresponding to the position of the indicating mechanism. The light source is further utilized to provide a background low level illumination emission from the dial display which may be of a color differing from that of the localized high level emission. The transfer member may comprise a piped light member, an apertured member, a filter member, etc., to provide the localized indication in the dial display. The transfer member may also take the form of an opaque element and in effect cast a shadow on the light transmitting elements as an indication of its position. The light transmitting elements may be formed in groups for facilitated assembly.

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i v v i 19? XR 3 639,747 i I Uplted States Patent 1151 3,639,747 SchmidtFeb. 1 1972 [54] DIAL DISPLAY DEVICE t1; [72] inventor: Hans Schmidt,Riverwoods, ill. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assigneez Warwick Electronics Inc.dial display for providing an indication corresponding to an inputsignal such as corresponding to the tuning of a IBdiO [22] Filed: June11', 1969 device. The dial display utilizes a seri'esgltransmittingelements for piping light' ffirniiiliilitf transfer,member toa, [211App! 832342 front di spiay ols i'tion The light transmitting elementsare grouped to haze ntportion thereof effectively define a [52] U.S.Cl..240/2.1, l [6/ 124.4 visuallybbs ei'va 1a indicator. The lighttransfermember is [5!] Int. Cl ld 11/23, H03] 1/ 4 sclectivelr'positioniBE bymcans of a suitable indicating [58] Field of Search ..240/2.l;340/380,202; meghanigm guoh as a meter movement, The transfer member 325/455, 1316- 129 M, 129 P receives light from a light source to produce alocalized high level of light emission from the dial displaycorresponding to [56] References cued the position of the indicatingmechanism. The light source is further utilized to provide a backgroundlow level illumination UNITED STATES PATENTS emission from the dialdisplay which may be of a color differ- 2,227,86l l/194l Petrone..340/380 ing from that of the localized high level emission. Thetransfer 2,333,492 11/1943 Ridge..... ...1 16/129 M member may comprisea piped light member, an apertured 2,441,825 5/1948 Lane lib/1 29 Mmember, a filter member, etc., to provide the localized indica-2,907,293 1 sleil'lke X tion in the dial display. The transfer membermay also take the 3,134,372 5/1965 y K X form of an opaque element andin effect cast a shadow on the 3,467,960 9/1969 HOSkC! ..340/380 X li htt s itting elements 35 an indication ofits position, The

Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-Daniel M. YasichA1t0rneyHofgren,Wegner, Allen, Steilman and McCord light transmittingelements may be formed in groups for facilitated assembly.

16 Claims, ll Drawing Figures meme!) m 1 1m 33339;

' sum 1 OF 3 PATENTED FEB 1 i972 SHEET 3 OF 3 r 1 DIAL DISPLAY DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to indicators in particular to means for indicating the value ofa variable input signal which may, for example, correspond to the tuningof a radio apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one form of conventional dial displayfor use in indicating the station to which a radio apparatus is tunedfor example, a movable pointer element is moved across a suitable dialprovided with a corresponding scale. Mechanical drives are drivesconventionally employed for moving the pointer. One known form of suchdrive means comprises a string driven by a suitable wheel associatedwith the tuning capacitor and connected to the movable pointer, with thepointer being guided on suitable track means for movement of the string.In another conventional form of tuning indicator, a wheel is drivendirectly with the tuning capacitor.

Such known dial display devices have serious disadvantages such as arelatively high maintenance and difficulty of visual observation underadverse view conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improveddial display device useable, for example, as a tuning indicator in aradio apparatus which eliminates the disadvantages of the abovedescribed known dial display devices in a novel and simple manner. Ingeneral, the invention comprehends the provision of a dial displaydevice including a plurality of fixed light transmitting or light pipingelements each having a light emitting front portion and a lightreceiving'rear portion spaced from the front portion, means supportingthe elements to dispose the front and rear portions in separatepreselected juxtaposed series, means to establish a first or backgroundstate of illumination on the rear portions of said light transmittingelements and means for establishing a second different state ofillumination of a restricted width, generally corresponding to thewidth'of said light transmitting elements. The apparatus forestablishing said second state illumination is movable in accordancewith an input variable indicative, for example, of the frequency towhich a radio is tuned. Movement of the means for establishing thesecond state of illumination effectively causes this narrow state ofillumination to scan across the end surfaces of the light transmittingelements. I

This, in turn, presents a movable dial type indication on the frontsurfaces of the light transmitting elements in the form of narrowcontrasting state of illumination. For the purpose of definition,complete absence of light is considered to be a state of illumination"and states of illumination may be different in intensity, color,presence and absence, etc.

More specifically, the present invention comprehends an indicatingdevice of the type described having a light source, a light transmittingtransfer member having a light emitting portion and a light receivingportion spaced from the light emitting portion, and means for supportingthe transfer member to receive light from the light source and move thelight emitting portion thereof selectively in registry with differentones of the light receiving portions of the elements, whereby light isemitted from different ones of the light transmitting element frontportions as a function of the movement of the transfer member. The lighttransmitting elements may comprise piped light elements wherein thelight is internally conducted with minimum transmission loss. Thetransfer member may similarly comprise a piped'light element.Alternatively, the transfer member may comprise an apertured member, afilter member, or an opaque member providing a visual indication in thedial display relative to the background appearance thereof. The lighttransmitting elements may be formed as individual strips. In oneimproved form, the light transmitting elements are molded as twoseparate sheets of strips integrally connected to interfit and definethe full series.

Further more specifically, the invention comprehends the use of filtersfor providing the background illumination from the same light source asutilized by the transfer memberto provide the indication illumination.The transfer member is preferably relatively lightweight for facilitatedselective posi tioning therein by low torque devices such as metermovements and similar indicating mechanisms. Thus, the dial display isadvantageously adapted for us in indicating the tuning of a radioapparatus. The present invention is particularly useful for indicatingthe tuning point of varacto'r, or electronically tuned radios wherein avariable voltage or current is used to vary the tuning point of theradio. When used with such a wave signal receiving apparatus, thepresent invention comprehends the use of a known meter movement, coupledto said variable voltage or current to control the movement of the lighttransmitting transfer member.

The invention further comprehends the provision of a plur rality oflight sources and corresponding light transfer members for providingselectively different indications. Thus, illustratively, the dualarrangement may be utilized to provide a dial display in a radioapparatus having both frequency modulated and amplitude modulated signalreceiving capability. Different filters may be provided for each lightsource. such that the dial background changes color depending on whichreceiving mode this radio is in. Suitable means are provided to turn onone light source or the other, depending on the signal mode selected,Still further, the dial display is adapted for indicating a stereooperation of such a radio apparatus as by the joint operation of thedual elements.

In the stereo mode the two light sources are both on whereby a thirdcolor background is obtained to indicate stereo.

As the dial display device utilizes a localized light indication, thedisplay provides facilitated visual observation under adverseenvironmental conditions. The dial display device is extremely simpleand economical of construction while yet providing the desirablefeatures discussed above.

, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radio apparatus provided with a dialdisplay device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantiallyalong the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially alongthe line 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is atop plan view of the dial display device with portions brokenaway to facilitate illustration thereof;

, invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section of another form of dialdisplay device embodying the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal section of still another form ofdialdisplay device embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings, a dialdisplay device generally designated 10 is shown for use in an electricalapparatus such as a radio 11. Illustratively, radio II may comprise anAM-stereo FM radio. The radio 11 may include an .sound as from aconventional stereo FM station and for this purpose may be provided witha pair of loudspeakers 17; The radio chassis 18 may be mounted withinthe cabinet 12 and may be of conventional construction as well known tothose skilled in the art.

The dial display device 12) is arranged to provide to the observer anindication of the frequency to which the wave signal receiver is tunedby means of an electrical meter movement 19. The meter movement 19 maybe of conventional construction and includes a stationary portion 20 anda rotatable portion 21 defining a pair of spaced supports 22 and 23selectively positionable about a vertical axis as a function of thevoltage on input leads 56 which, as previously explained, isproportional to frequency to which the device is tuned.

The leads 53 and 54 (FIG. 4) are coupled to the tuner section of thewave signal receiver via mode switch 16a. Mode switch 16a is operativelycoupled to knob 16 by means not shown and may include for example, adouble pole, double throw switch for selectively coupling the FM or AMtuning voltage output from the tuner to the meter and a source of power(not shown) to either the light sources 28 and 32 or 28' and 33 wherebythe operator is presented a visual indication of the mode selected.Suitable scaling means may be provided in the tuner output in order thatthe meter movement may accurately track both AM and FM tuning voltages.The signal input to the meter is not restricted to the tuner controlvoltage but can also be derived from a potentiometer for example, whichis driven by the tuning knob ofa conventional mechanically variableganged capacitor.

The position of the rotatable portion 21 of the meter movement 19 istranslated into a light signal to be read out through the dial displaydevice and more specifically to be read out on a front surface 24thereofextending across a dial plate 25 carrying suitable AM frequencyscale 26 and FM frequency scale 27 on the upper and lower portionsthereof respectively. A pair of illuminating lamps 28 and 28' may beprovided behind the dial plate 25 for selectively illuminating theappropriate AM scale 26 or FM scale 27 as selected by the control 16a.The indication observable on the dial display device surface 24illustratively comprises a localized, relatively high level lightemission from the surface 24.

More specifically, the device includes a housing 29 defining a firstlamp chamber 30 at an upper rear portion thereof and a second lampchamber 31 at a lower rear portion thereof. A first lamp 32 is disposedwithin chamber 30 and a second lamp 33 is disposed within chamber 31.Chamber 30 is defined forwardly by a light transmitting wall 34 whichmay comprise a red filter, and chamber 31 is defined forwardly by alight transmitting wall 35 which may comprise a green filter. As shownin FlG. 2, the lamps 28, 32 and 33 are selectively energizedindividually or jointly by the control switch 16a. Thus, when the lamp32 is illuminated as by selection of the AM mode of operation, theinterior of the housing 29 is illuminated by the filtered red lightemanating forwardly through the filter 34 and when the lamp 33 isilluminated as by selection of the FM mode of operation, the interior ofthe housing 29 is illuminated by green light emanating through the greenThe dial display device 10 further includes a plurality of fixed lighttransmitting elements generally designated 36 each having a lightemitting front portion 37 and a light receiving rear portion 38. Thehousing 29 supports the elements 36 to dispose the front portions 37 ina juxtaposed side-by-side series to define the composite front surface24. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the light transmitting elements 36may vary in longitudinal.configuration from a substantially rectilinearconfiguration 36a to a maximum turned configuration 36b whereby the rearportions 38 effectively define an arcuate rear surface 39 which iscentered on the vertical axis 40 of the meter movement 19. The frontsurface 24, however, is substantially planar parallel to the plane ofthe front wall 13 of the radio cabinet 12. Each of the lighttransmitting elements 36 comprises a light conductor wherein the lightis internally reflected to conduct it substantially without loss fromend to end of the element. lllustratively, the elements may be formed ofa plastic material having suitable light conducting characteristics forthis purpose and herein are formed of acrylic resin plastic. As is wellknown to those skilled in the fiber optics art, the efficient conductionof light through such elements may be effected by highly polishing theelements and designing the curvature of the turned portion, such asportion 360 of configuration 3612 (FIG. 7) to be sufficiently great toavoid loss therein. In conventional fiber optics applications, suchlight conductors are of cylindrical cross section. However, it has beenfound that, by arranging the light transmitting elements 36 as shown,substantially complete transmission of light from the receiving portions38 to the emitting portions 37 may be obtained with the illustrated flatstrip configuration. The flat configuration provides a fine screeneffect in the surface 24 whereby each end portion 37 has an effectivelythin line appearance.

Light is transmitted to the light receiving portions 38 of therespective light transmitting elements 36 selectively from lamp 32 orlamp 33 by means of a pair of light transmitting transfer members 41 and42. As shown in FlG.-5, light transfer member 41 includes a lightemitting front portion 43 and a light receiving rear portion 44..Similarly, transfer member 42 includes a light emitting front portion45 and a rear light receiving portion 46. The transfer members arecarried by the rotatable portion 21 of the meter movement 19 to disposethe light receiving portions 44 and 46 in registration with verticallyaligned openings 47 and 48 in the housing wall defining chambers 30 and31 respectively. As best seen in FIG. 2, the transfer members 41 and 42may be turned whereby end surfaces 44 and 46 extend horizontally whereasthe end surfaces 43 and 45 extend vertically. Thus, light may beconducted from lamp 32 through opening 47 and through the transfermember 41 to the light receiving portion 38 of the light transferelement 36 with which the light emitting portion 43 of member 41 isaligned. Similarly, light is conducted from lamp 33 through opening 48and transfer member 42 to the light receiving portion 38 of the lighttransfer element 36 with which the light emitting portion 45 of member42 is aligned. The light transmitted through the transfer members maybeunfiltered and, thus, is transmitted through the light transmittingelement to be seen on the surface 24 as a white light. As the light isconducted through the transfer member directly from the lamp and theselected transmitting element, the thusly conducted light is ofrelatively high intensity as compared to the low level of illuminationof the surface 24 produced by the light passing from the lamp throughthe selected filter 34 or 35. Resultingly, the dial display device 10shows the position of the meter movement portion 21 as a thin brightline against a colored lower level illumination background.

The transfer member 41 and 42 are effectively cantilevered from themeter movement portion 21 and as shown in FIG. 5, improved rigiditythereof may be effected by means of interconnecting lugs 49 on member 41and holes 50 in member 42 snugly receiving the lugs.

The meter movement 19 may be accurately supported in the housing 29 bymeans of suitable shoulders 51 and 52. Further, the housing may beprovided with a pair of terminals 53 and 54 and a channel 55 forconducting the wires 56 from the terminals 53 and 54 to the metermovement 19. The housing 29 is preferably formed in two parts includingan upper portion 29a and a lower portion 2912 which may be substantiallyidentical. The housing portions may be fixedly secured together bysuitable connectors 57 inserted through suitable openings 58 in therespective housing portions. As best seen in F16. 2, the housing 29includes a fiat front portion 59 provided with a suitable groove 60 forreceiving lugs 61 on each of the light transmitting elements 36 tosecure the light transmitting elements in juxtaposed association.

The functioning of dial display device is extremely simple. When theradio 11 is caused to operate illustratively inthe AM mode of operation,the lamps 32 and 28 are illuminated thereby providing a low level redappearance to the dial surface 24 and an illumination of the associatedAM frequency scale 26. Depending on the tuning of the radio, the metermovement 19 rotatably positions the transfer member 41 to dispose thetransmitting surface 43 in alignment with the light receiving portion 38of the light transfer element 36 corresponding to the selectedfrequency. Light is transmitted directly from the lamp 32 through thetransfer member 41 and the corresponding light transmitting element 36to provide a relatively high level while light emission from the frontportion 37 of that light transmitting element to provide a relativelybright light line on the lower level red background to indicate to theuser the selected AM frequency. As the light transfer member 41 swingsabout the axis 40, the light emitting portion 43 thereofis disposed inclosejuxtaposition to the light receiving portions 38 of the differentlight transmitting elements 36. As the light transmitting elements arehighly efficient in the conduction of the light, substantially nodifference in the amount of light transmitted from the front portions 37thereof occurs notwithstanding a difference in the length of thedifferent elements as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Where the radio is set for an FM mode of operation by the control 16,the lamp 33 and lower lamp 28' will be illuminated. illumination fromlamp 33 is transmitted through transfer member 42 to the correspondinglight transmitting element 36 in the same manner as discussed relativeto the transfer from lamp 32. However, as the background illuminationis'provided by the green filter 35, the dial surface 24 will present agreen low level lighted background thereby indicating to the userautomatically that the radio is operating in the FM mode of operation incontradistinction to the AM mode of operation indicated by the redbackground.

Further, where the radio is operating in the stereo mode, the lamps 32and 33 may be concurrently energized so as to provide an orangebackground illumination comprising a combination of each of the red andgreen illuminations provided by the filters 34 and 35. At the same time,each of the light transfer members 41 and 42 conducts light from therespective lamps to provide a double line appearance on the dial surface24 thereby further indicating to the user the stereo operation of theradio apparatus. This simultaneous operation of the light source may beachieved by employing suitable switching means (not shown) responsive tothe stereo indication signal in conventional radios to couple the sourceof power to lamp 32 which is normally on only for AM mode operation.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the high levelillumination piped to the surface 24 through the light transfer members41' and 42 may be colored as by disposition of a suitable filter (notshown) across the openings 47 and 48. Stili further if desired, thesurface 24 may be defined by an upper or lower surface of the lighttransmitting elements 36 rather than the end surface portion 37 thereof.Further as will be ob vious to those skilled in the art, while theinvention has been described in connection with a meter movement 19, anysuitable rotary translation device may be employed for effecting thedesired selective disposition of the light transfer means. Still furtheras will be obvious to those skilled in the art, while the illustrativeembodiment comprises a display apparatus, the dial display device 10 maybe utilized in connection with other suitable apparatus where a visualindication of a selective disposition ofa movable element of theapparatus is desired.

To provide an improved readout on the dial display surface 24, the endportions 37 may be roughened as by etching or sandblasting.

Further modifications of the structure of the dial display device whichmay be employed within the scope of the invention are shown in FIGS.8-11. lllustratively, in FIG. 8, a modified light transfer elementstructure generally designated 36' having improved economy andsimplicity of manufacture may be provided for use in the device 10. Asshown, alternating light transmitting elements 36 thereofmay be formedas afi integrally associated assembly 62 with a connector portion, ortie bar, 63 which maintains the elements 36 in spaced jux taposedassociation permitting interfitting, or interleaving, or a generallysimilar integral assembly 64 of light transmitting elements 36 and tiebar 65 therewith to provide the desired complete series. The assemblyportions 62 and 64 may be identical; however, the assembly 64 is turnedupside down relative to the assembly'62 to permit the interleavedassociation. Assemblies 62 and 64 may be economically formed by moldingas an unitary structure for effectively maximum economy.

in FIG. 9, a modified form of dial display device generally designated110 is shown to comprise a dial display device generally similar todevice 10 but effectively comprising an upper portion 166 and a lowerportion 167 for transmitting different light signals to alternating onesof the series of light transmitting elements 136a and 13Gb. Thus,alternate elements 136a extend from a lower chamber 168a at the rear ofthe housing portion 129a and alternate elements 136b extend from anupper chamber 168b at the rear of housing portion 12911. The red filter134 extends across the chamber 168a except for a central opening 147through which the light transfer member 141 extends and the green filter135 extends across the chamber 168!) except for an opening 148 throughwhich the lower light transfer member 142 extends. Suitable lamp means132 and 133 are provided in lamp chambers 130 and 131 respectively, forconducting light through the filters and transfer members respectively.The transfer members are mounted on the rotatable portion 121 of a metermovement 119 as shown.

Thus, in dial display device 110, every other light transmitting element13Gb provides a low level red background illumination at the frontsurface 124 when the'lamp 132 is illuminated.

Similarly, alternate every other light transmitting elements 136apresent a low level green background at the surface 124 when lamp 133 isilluminated. The higher level illumination conducted through the lighttransmitting elements 136b from light transfer member 141 emanates onlyfrom every other light transmitting element defining surface 124 as itis conducted only through the upper elements 136b. The high levelillumination transmitted from transfer member 142 emanates only from thealternate every other element 1360. The transfer members 141 and 142 maybe relatively thick so as to assure conduction of light through at leastone of the associated light transfer elements which, as indicated above,are spaced apart by the thickness ofa light transmitting element.

A further modified dial display device structure is shown in P16. 10 tocomprise a dial display device 210 wherein the background illuminationproduced through the light transmitting elements 236 is selectivelyblocked by an opaque element 269 thereby providing a dark line against agenerally illuminated background appearing at surface 224.Alternatively, the member 269 may comprise a filter element providing acolored relatively low level emanation from the surface 224 through theregistering light transfer element 236 appearing against the higherlevel general illumination background. As shown in FIG. 11, a furthermodification of the dial display device may comprise a device 310wherein illumination of the light transmitting elements 336 is providedthrough a slit 370 in a light control wall member, such as cylinder 371,rotatably positionable by the meter movement 319 to register the slitdevices 110, 210 and 310 comprise a device generally similar to dialdisplay device except as otherwise noted. Cor responding elements ofdevices 110, 210 and 310 are identified by reference numeral similar tothose identifying the elements of device 10 except respectively 100higher.

Further, a color effect may be obtained by coloring the end portions 37,or lightreceiving end portions 38, as desired. Al-

ternatively, color may be provided by suitably coloring the end portions43, 44, 45, or 46 of the light transfer members as desired. 7

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes,therefore, in the arrangement and constructions may be made within thespirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A dial display device comprising: a plurality of fixed lighttransmitting elements each having a light emitting front portion and alight receiving portion spaced from said front portion; means supportingsaid elements to dispose said front portions in a preselected juxtaposedseries; a light source; a light transmitting transfer member having alight emitting portion and a light receiving portion spaced from saidlight emitting portion; means for supporting said transfer member toreceive light from said light source and move said light emitting por?tion thereof selectively in registry with different ones of said lightreceiving portions of said elements, whereby light is emitted fromdifferent ones of said light transmitting element front portions as afunction of the movement of said transfer member; and means forproviding a relatively low level light emission from a substantialnumber of said light emitting portions of said light transmittingelements concurrently with a relatively high level light emission fromthe light transmitting element receiving light from said transfermember.

2. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said low level lightemission comprises light of a color differing from that of said highlevel light emission.

3. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said means for providingsaid low level light emission comprises color filter means fortransmitting colored light from said light source to said lightreceiving portions of said light transmitting elements.

4. The dial display device of claim I wherein said means for supportingsaid transfer member comprises a selectively rotatable device.

S. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said light emittingportions of said light transmitting elements comprise light diffusingsurfaces thereof.

6. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said transfer membercomprises a filter element having a small transverse size movableadjacent said light receiving portions ofsaid light transmittingelements for causing only the light transmitting elements in registrywith said filter element to show a color corresponding thereto.

7. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said transfer membercomprises a light control element having a small transverse size movablyadjacent said light receiving portions of said light transmittingelements for causing the light transmitting elements in registry withsaid transfer member to produce a different visual effect from the otherlight transmitting elements.

8. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said transfer membercomprises an opaque member provided with an aperture causing only thelight transmitting elements in registry member to receive light fromsaid second light source and move the light emitting portion of saidsecond transfer member selectively in registry with different ones ofsaid light receiving portions of said elements and means for selectivelyenergizing said first and second light sources.

11. A dial display device comprising:

a plurality of fixed light transmitting elements each having a lightemitting front portion and a light receiving portion spaced from saidfront portion;

means supporting said elements to dispose said front portions in apreselected juxtaposed series;

a single light source; and

means for providing from said single light source a general low levellight emission from substantially all of said light emitting frontportions and a localized high level light emission from selected one ofsaid light emitting portions.

12. The dial display device of claim 11 wherein said providing meansincludes means for causing said low level light emission to be differentin color from the high level light emission.

13. The dial display device of claim 11 wherein said providing meansincludes means for conducting light directly from said light source tosaid light transmitting elements and me ans for filtering the light fromthe light source and transmitting the filtered light to said lighttransmitting elements.

14. A display device for presenting a visual output indicative of thevalue of a given variable comprising: a plurality of fixed lighttransmitting elements, each having a light emitting surface and a lightreceiving surface spaced from said emitting surface; means supportingsaid elements to dispose said light emitting and receiving surfaces inseparate preselected juxtaposed series; means for establishing a firstgeneral state of illumination on said juxtaposed series of lightreceiving surfaces; means for establishing a second different state ofillumination of limited width on said juxtaposed series of lightreceiving surfaces; and means for positioning said second state ofillumination on said juxtaposed series of light receiving surfaces inaccordance with the value of said variable, said means for establishinga first state of illumination comprising a source of illuminationconsisting of a plurality of wavelengths for illuminating said lightreceiving surfaces of said elements and said means for establishing saidsecond state of illumination comprising a plurality of filter meansselectably movable adjacent to and in registry with the light receivingsurfaces of said elements in accordance with said variable, said filtermeans being opaque to at least one of said plurality of wavelengthswhereby said element in registry with said filter is illuminated with adifferent-color light than the other of said elements.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means for establishing asecond state of illumination comprises means opaque to the illuminationof said first state.

16. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said low levelillumination means comprises means for providing said low level lightemission from substantially all of said light emitting portions.

1. A dial display device comprising: a plurality of fixed lighttransmitting elements each having a light emitting front portion and alight receiving portion spaced from said front portion; means supportingsaid elements to dispose said front portions in a preselected juxtaposedseries; a light source; a light transmitting transfer member having alight emitting portion and a light receiving portion spaced from saidlight emitting portion; means for supporting said transfer member toreceive light from said light source and move said light emittingportion thereof selectively in registry with different ones of saidlight receiving portions of said elements, whereby light is emitted fromdifferent ones of said light transmitting element front portions as afunction of the movement of said transfer member; and means forproviding a relatively low level light emission from a substantialnumber of said light emitting portions of said light transmittingelements concurrently with a relatively high level light emission fromthe light transmitting element receiving light from said transfermember.
 2. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said low levellight emission comprises light of a color differing from that of saidhigh level light emission.
 3. The dial display device of claim 1 whereinsaid means for providing said low level light emission comprises colorfilter means for transmitting colored light from said light source tosaid light receiving portions of said light transmitting elements. 4.The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said means for supportingsaid transfer member comprises a selectively rotatable device.
 5. Thedial display device of claim 1 wherein said light emitting portions ofsaid light transmitting elements comprise light diffusing surfacesthereof.
 6. The dial display device of claim 1 wherein said transfermember comprises a filter element having a small transverse size movableadjacent said light receiving portions of said light transmittingelements for causing only the light transmitting elements in registrywith said filter element to show a color corresponding thereto.
 7. Thedial display device of claim 1 wherein said transfer member comprises alight control element having a small transverse size movably adjacentsaid light receiving portions of said light transmitting elements forcausing the light transmitting elements in registry with said transfermember to produce a different visual effect from the other lighttransmitting elements.
 8. The dial display device of claim 1 whereinsaid transfer member comprises an opaque member provided with anaperture causing only the light transmitting elements in registry withsaid aperture to have light emitted from the light emitting portionsthereof.
 9. The dial display device of claim 8 wherein said aperture hasa transverse size no greater than two of said light receiving portionsof said light transmitting elements.
 10. The dial display device ofclaim 1 further including a second light source, a second lighttransmitting transfer member, and means for supporting said secondtransfer member to receive light from said second light source and movethe light emitting portion of said second transfer member selectively inregistry with different ones of said light receiving portions of saidelements and means for selectively energizing said first and secondlight sources.
 11. A dial display device comprising: a plurality offixed light transmitting elements each having a light emitting frontportion and a light receiving portion spaced from said front portion;means supporting said elements to dispose said front portions in apreselected juxtaposed series; a single light source; and means forproviding from said single light source a general low level lightemission from substantially all of said light emittIng front portionsand a localized high level light emission from selected one of saidlight emitting portions.
 12. The dial display device of claim 11 whereinsaid providing means includes means for causing said low level lightemission to be different in color from the high level light emission.13. The dial display device of claim 11 wherein said providing meansincludes means for conducting light directly from said light source tosaid light transmitting elements and means for filtering the light fromthe light source and transmitting the filtered light to said lighttransmitting elements.
 14. A display device for presenting a visualoutput indicative of the value of a given variable comprising: aplurality of fixed light transmitting elements, each having a lightemitting surface and a light receiving surface spaced from said emittingsurface; means supporting said elements to dispose said light emittingand receiving surfaces in separate preselected juxtaposed series; meansfor establishing a first general state of illumination on saidjuxtaposed series of light receiving surfaces; means for establishing asecond different state of illumination of limited width on saidjuxtaposed series of light receiving surfaces; and means for positioningsaid second state of illumination on said juxtaposed series of lightreceiving surfaces in accordance with the value of said variable, saidmeans for establishing a first state of illumination comprising a sourceof illumination consisting of a plurality of wavelengths forilluminating said light receiving surfaces of said elements and saidmeans for establishing said second state of illumination comprising aplurality of filter means selectably movable adjacent to and in registrywith the light receiving surfaces of said elements in accordance withsaid variable, said filter means being opaque to at least one of saidplurality of wavelengths whereby said element in registry with saidfilter is illuminated with a different color light than the other ofsaid elements.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said means forestablishing a second state of illumination comprises means opaque tothe illumination of said first state.
 16. The dial display device ofclaim 1 wherein said low level illumination means comprises means forproviding said low level light emission from substantially all of saidlight emitting portions.